Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.

Otto von Bismarck

A conquering army on the border will not be stopped by eloquence.

Otto von Bismarck(Speech to North German Reichstag, 1867)

Politics is not an exact science. It is an art.

Otto von Bismarck(Speech, 1863)

All treaties between great states cease to be binding when they come in conflict with the struggle for existence.

Otto von Bismarck

Beware of sentimental alliances where the consciousness of good deeds is the only compensation for noble sacrifices.

Otto von Bismarck

Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others.

Otto von Bismarck

It is the destiny of the weak to be devoured by the strong.

Otto von Bismarck(Quoted in Bismarck and the German Empire, 1964)

When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of carrying it out in practice.

Otto von Bismarck

Not by speeches and votes of the majority, are the great questions of the time decided — that was the error of 1848 and 1849 — but by iron and blood.

Otto von Bismarck(Speech, 1862)

A really great man is known by three signs... generosity in the design, humanity in the execution, moderation in success.

Otto von Bismarck

Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness.

Otto von Bismarck

A government must not waiver once it has chosen it's course. It must not look to the left or right but go forward.

Otto von Bismarck

They treat me like a fox, a cunning fellow of the first rank. But the truth is that with a gentleman I am always a gentleman and a half, and when I have to do with a pirate, I try to be a pirate and a half.

Otto von Bismarck

Otto von Bismarck Biography

Born: April 1, 1815Died: July 30, 1898

Otto von Bismarck was a Prussian-German statesman. He is best known for his notable actions in world affairs and for his unification of Germany.